Method and system for improving athletic swinging motion

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments for a swing training system are described that include a resistance garment with air resistance components for providing resistance to, or to control and guide, a biomechanical swinging motion. A shoulder harness system includes an athlete attachment area and at least one coupling member having a first end configured to couple to a swing device attachment and a second end configured to couple to the athlete attachment area, where the shoulder harness system is configured to maintain, or monitor, a location of the swing device and detach from shoulder harness system in response to a predefined amount of force being exerted by an athlete during a swinging motion of the bat while training.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/860,409 entitled “SWING MECHANICS SHOULDER HARNESS SYSTEMAND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” filed Apr. 28, 2020, whichapplication is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/567,425 entitled “SWING MECHANICSSHOULDER HARNESS AND BARREL AX,” filed Sep. 11, 2019, which claims thebenefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/849,982 entitled “MAGNETIC SHOULDER HARNESS WITH BARREL AX,” filedMay 20, 2019, and further claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/886,959 entitled “VELCRO HITTERFOR BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL,” filed Aug. 14, 2019, the contents of all ofwhich are incorporated by reference in their entireties herein.

BACKGROUND

Swing training aids are beneficial in training an operator the properbiomechanics of swinging a swinging device such as a baseball bat, agolf club, or other sports apparatus. Notably, a swing, such as abaseball swing, can be separated into six distinct stages, such as thestance; stride; coiling; swing initiation; swing acceleration; andfollow-through. Swing training aids help teach an operator (the term‘operator’ may be understood as also referring to an ‘athlete’ herein)the correct biomechanical movements for swinging the swinging devicethrough a particular stage of the swing or, alternatively, throughmultiple stages of the swing. Correspondingly, training an operator onhow to master the most efficient and effective biomechanical sequence ofmovements when swinging a swinging device may be difficult withoutrepeatable reinforcement of an ideal biomechanical movement.

SUMMARY

A swing training system is described. The swing training system includesa shoulder harness system comprising a wrist attachment and at least onecoupling member having a first end configured to couple to the wristattachment and a second end configured to couple to one of a shoulderportion or a chest portion of the shoulder harness system, where theshoulder harness system is configured to maintain a chest-to-armposition of an operator and detach from one of the shoulder portion orthe chest portion of the shoulder harness system in response to apredefined amount of force being exerted by the operator during a swingmotion using a swinging device.

In an aspect the swing training system may include a bat/swinging deviceattachment and at least one coupling member having a first endconfigured to removably attach, or couple, to the bat/swinging deviceattachment and a second end configured to removably attach, or couple,to one of a shoulder portion or a chest portion of the shoulder harness,where the coupling member is configured to maintain a chest-to-armposition of an operator and to detach from one of the shoulder portionor the chest portion of the shoulder harness system in response to apredefined amount of force being exerted by the bat/swinging device asthe operator performs a swing motion using the bat/swinging device. Thebat/swinging device attachment may removably attach to the bat/swingingdevice with a strap around the bat/swinging device, with a collar aroundthe bat/swinging device, hook-and-loop material, a pin, a nail, amagnet, or other means for removably securing the at least one couplingmember to the bat/swinging device. In an aspect, the bat/swinging deviceattachment may instead of being removably attached to the bat/swingingdevice, may be substantially permanently attached thereto. In otherwords, in this aspect the bat/swinging device may not become detachedfrom the swing device upon a predetermined amount of force being exertedwhen an athlete performs a swing motion with the bat/swinging device,but may still become detached from the shoulder harness upon apredetermined amount of force being exerted along the coupling memberwhen an athlete performs a swing motion with the bat/swinging device.

The swing training system further comprises at least one of a lightsystem comprising a first light emitting device configured to couple tothe wrist attachment and a second light emitting device configured tocouple to a bottom end of the swinging device; and a stride trainingsystem comprising at least one foot harness configured to secure a footmagnet to a bottom of a foot of the operator and at least onecorresponding target magnet plate, wherein a foot magnet and a targetmagnet plate corresponding thereto are configured to form a magneticcoupling and emit an audible noise when the foot magnet comes intophysical contact, or magnetic coupling above a predetermined magneticfield strength foot location threshold value, with the target magnetplate. In an alternative aspect, a foot magnet and corresponding targetmagnet plate may be configured to cause an audible noise when the footmagnet moves away from physical contact with the target magnet plate orwhen a magnetic coupling between the foot magnet and the target magnetplate is below a predetermined magnetic field strength foot locationthreshold value.

The swing training system may further include a swing device locationball (or object shaped differently than a ball) configured to connectedto a vest or a shirt of the operator to rest the swinging device next toa desired position on a body of the operator and maintain a degree ofseparation between the operator and the swinging device. This providesan advantage of training an athlete to begin his or her swing from aposition farther from his or her body and thus trains the athlete todevelop more control and power because the swing is shorter relative toa swing that may begin at a lee-than-optimal starting position and thatmay rely on producing power in the swing from more inertia that resultsfrom beginning the swing from a location that produces a longer swingtrack but that may not be as controlled.

The ball/object may be made at least partially with a foam or rubbermaterial and may include hook- and loop material at an attaching portionfor attaching to a shoulder portion, a chest portion, or a back portionof a harness system, that may include a shoulder harness. The ball mayinclude hook and loop material at a magnet location for attaching amagnet. The magnet may be on a second end of a coupling device, such asa strap, that may attach to an athlete's wrist or to an athleticequipment device, such as a baseball bat, a tennis racquet, a cricketbat, a golf club, or other sports equipment that typically swung by anathlete. The strap, or other coupling device, may attach to the athleticequipment at a first end of the strap via a securing band that snuglysurrounds a shaft of the sports equipment device. The second end of thestrap may be removable attached to the ball, or to a portion of theharness system, via a magnet that is attracted to either another magnetor to a magnetic material that attaches to the harness or ball via hookand loop material. Alternatively, instead of a magnet, the second end ofthe strap may attached with hook and loop material directly to hook andloop material of the ball at the magnet location, or with hook and loopat the shoulder portion, or other portion, of the harness. The ballobject may include one or more notches, or openings, that arecustom-formed to accept different swinging devices that have differentshaft diameters or different shaft shapes.

The first light emitting device may be coupled to the wrist attachment,the first light emitting device being sized and positioned to shinelight across a chest of the operator during the swing motion. The secondlight emitting device may be coupled to a bottom end of the swingingdevice, the second light emitting device being sized and positioned toshine light at a ground surface during the swing motion. The first lightemitting device may be configured to emit light of a first color and thesecond light emitting device may be configured to emit light of a secondcolor, the second color being a different color than the first color.The first light emitting device may include a first light emittingelement, a first switch, and a first battery, and the second lightemitting device may include a second light emitting element, a secondswitch, and a second battery.

The at least one coupling member comprises a double-sided striphook-and-loop fastening strip or a rigid member formed of metal. Thewrist attachment may be a first wrist attachment to be worn on a firstwrist of the operator, where the swing training system further comprisesa second wrist attachment to be worn on the second wrist of theoperator. Further, the at least one coupling member is a first couplingmember and a second coupling member, a first end of the first couplingmember is configured to be secured to the first wrist attachment, and asecond end of the first coupling member is configured to removablyattach to the shoulder portion, and a first end of the second couplingmember is configured to be secured to the second wrist attachment, and asecond end of the second coupling member is configured to removablyattach to the chest portion. The second end of the first coupling membercomprises a first magnet configured to magnetically couple to theshoulder portion, and the second end of the second coupling membercomprises a second magnet configured to magnetically couple to the chestportion.

The swing training system may further include a collar configured todetachably attach to a shaft of a swinging device, the collar comprisinga first portion detachably attached to a second portion, the collarfurther comprising an elongated substantially horizontal surfaceprojecting from at least one of the first portion and the secondportion, the elongated substantially horizontal surface being adapted tocontact a ball.

A method is provided that includes providing the swing training systemas described above, positioning the shoulder harness system on theoperator; and performing, by the operator, a swing using the shoulderharness system and at least one of the light system or the stridetraining system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed uponclearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoulder harness system acting as aswing training aid and worn on an operator according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an enhanced view of the shoulder harness illustrating acoupling member according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 3-8 are various perspective views of the shoulder harnessaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate various views of a swing cycle with an operatorwearing the shoulder harness according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a battle ax that may be used with or in place of theshoulder harness according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11 is an example of a circuit for a noise emitting device that maybe implemented in the shoulder harness according to various embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate various views of a swing cycle with anoperator wearing the shoulder harness according to various embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate various enhanced views of a wrist band and acoupling member according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 15 is a photograph showing an operator wearing a shoulder harnessand a double-sided hook-and-loop fastening strip that compriseshook-and-loop fasteners on both sides that can be worn as a wristbandaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a photograph of the wristband of FIG. 15 that compriseshook-and-loop fasteners on both sides according to various embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a photograph showing an operator wearing a shoulder harnessand a double-sided hook-and-loop fastening strip that compriseshook-and-loop fasteners on both sides that can be worn over a leadshoulder according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are photographs showing operators wearing a shoulderharness having a light system according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 20 and 21 are photographs showing illustrating the light systemdescribed herein according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 22 is a photograph of an operator using a stride training systemaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a photograph of a bottom of a shoe of an operator, where amagnet is positioned on the bottom of the shoe for use in the stridetraining system of FIG. 22 according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a photograph of a target magnet for use in the stridetraining system of FIG. 22 according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 25 and 26 are photographs showing an operator using the stridetraining system according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 27 is a photograph of an object/ball that can be connected to avest or a shirt of an operator player to rest a bat or club next to adesired position on the body according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 28 is a photograph of a magnetic attachment for use with the wristband of the shoulder harness system described herein according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 is a photograph of a swinging device attachment for use with aswinging device and the shoulder harness system described hereinaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 30-33 are various photographs of the shoulder harness system wornon an operator and shown relative to a swinging device according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 34 is a photograph of a stride box for the stride training systemdescribed herein according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 35 illustrates a training garment having air resistance pockets.

FIG. 36 illustrates a training garment having air resistance pocketswith at least one pocket having a closed end.

FIG. 37 illustrates a resistance-generating device coupled to anathletic movement training wrist band.

FIG. 38 illustrates a begin-swing location guide that includes anopening for receiving a swinging device or apparatus.

FIG. 39 illustrates a user/athlete with a baseball bat resting in thecrook of an opening of a begin-swing location guide apparatus.

FIG. 40 illustrates an athlete holding a bat 15 with a swing deviceattachment plate secured thereto via a hook and loop strap.

FIG. 41 illustrates a swing device attachment detachably coupling a batto a shoulder harness being worn by an athlete during training of theathlete.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a swing mechanics shoulder harness,barrel ax, light system, stride training system, and ball system thatcan be used in various combinations to train an operator, such as anathlete, the proper biomechanics of a swing. As noted above, obtainingefficient swing mechanics is difficult to develop in both young andadvanced athletes alike. To that end, swing training aids are beneficialtools to help teach the proper biomechanics of a swing. Swing trainingaids promote muscle-memory and reinforce the correct swing sequencingand timing to promote the efficient delivery of the maximum amount offorce to a ball or other object.

Various embodiments are described herein for a shoulder harness that canbe used to train proper biomechanics of a swing. The shoulder harnessand/or barrel ax provides an alternative to currently available swingtraining aids, for instance, as the shoulder harness is easier to couplewrist portions to the harness while simultaneously holding a swingingdevice, as opposed to currently available products that requires anoperator to loop connectors to various attachment components that arelocated on either the swinging device or other parts of the operator.Also, the currently available products may prematurely interrupt theswing sequence because it is easy for the connectors to slip off andbecome detached from the various attachment components, thereby,interrupting the operator and requiring the operator to reset theirswing by resetting the swing training aid. Moreover, currently availableproducts also physically prevent the operator from completing all sixstages of a swing due to the harness or the connectors physicallyimpeding completion of the swing.

In the context outlined above, the embodiments described herein aredirected to a shoulder harness and/or a barrel ax for training anoperator a preferred biomechanical swing movement to efficiently deliverthe maximum amount of force to an object, such as a baseball, a golfball, cricket swing, tennis swing, etc. The shoulder harness and/or thebarrel ax provide an alternative swing training aid because, in someembodiments, the shoulder harness utilizes magnetic couplers orhook-and-loop fasteners that couple to a harness worn by an operator.When a predetermined force is exerted at a predetermined stage of aswing, the couplers are configured to decouple from at least a portionof the harness, or decoupling entirely, allowing the operator toaccelerate from the stance through the other stages of the swingsequence. All six stages of the swing can be accomplished.

Furthermore, the barrel ax portion is configured to provide visualfeedback to the operator of when the operator is making square contactwith an object relative to the swinging device. In various embodimentsof the present disclosure, the strength of the coupling force may beadjusted by a plurality of coupling means, which may include a magnet insome embodiments, adding layers of padding to the padded member thatcovers the coupling section, or by adjusting the length of the couplingmember on the wrist attachment. In various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the coupling means of the wrist attachment is a hook andloop strap that may connect to either the shoulder portion or the chestportion of the shoulder harness.

Accordingly, a swing training system is provided that includes ashoulder harness. The shoulder harness may include a shoulder portionconfigured to be worn about a shoulder of an operator, a chest portionconfigured to be worn about a chest of the operator, at least one wristattachment configured to be worn on a wrist of the operator, and atleast one coupling member. The at least one coupling member may includea first end and a second end. The first end of the at least one couplingmember can be configured to be secured to the at least one wristattachment and the second end of the at least one coupling memberconfigured to detachably attach to one of: the shoulder portion or thechest portion. The at least one coupling member is configured tomaintain a chest-to-arm position of the operator and detach from one ofthe shoulder portion or the chest portion in response to a predefinedamount of force being exerted by the operator during a swing motion.

In some embodiments, the at least one wrist attachment includes a firstwrist attachment to be worn on a first wrist of the operator and asecond wrist attachment to be worn on the second wrist of the operator,where the at least one coupling member is a first coupling member and asecond coupling member, a first end of the first coupling member isconfigured to be secured to the first wrist attachment, and a second endof the first coupling member is configured to removably attach to theshoulder portion, a first end of the second coupling member isconfigured to be secured to the second wrist attachment, and a secondend of the second coupling member is configured to removably attach tothe chest portion.

In some embodiments, the second end of the first coupling member caninclude a first magnet configured to magnetically couple to the shoulderportion; and the second end of the second coupling member comprises asecond magnet configured to magnetically couple to the chest portion.Alternatively, in some embodiments, the second end of the first couplingmember comprises a first plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g.,VELCRO) that are configured to couple to the shoulder portion; and thesecond end of the second coupling member comprises a second plurality ofhook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO) configured to couple to the chestportion.

Further, in some embodiments, the coupling member includes a noiseemitting device configured to emit a noise when the at least onecoupling member decouples from the shoulder portion or the chestportion. Also, the shoulder portion can include a first padded memberconfigured to be positioned on the shoulder of the operator; and thechest portion can include a second padded member configured to be wornon the chest of the operator. The at least one coupling member can be atleast one cylindrical rod in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the swing training system further includes a collarconfigured to detachably attach to a shaft of a swinging device, thecollar comprising a first portion detachably attached to a secondportion, the collar further comprising an elongated substantiallyhorizontal surface projecting from at least one of the first portion andthe second portion, the elongated substantially horizontal surface beingadapted to contact a ball. For instance, the cylindrical collar can beconfigured to secure to a shaft of a baseball bat or a golf club.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an example of anoperator 10 wearing a shoulder harness system 100 according to variousembodiments. The operator 10 is shown holding a swinging device 15,which can include a baseball bat, a golf club, a cricket bat, or otherswinging device as can be appreciated. While many embodiments aredescribed herein with reference to baseball, the invention is not solimited unless limited by the appended claims. The relative sizes ofvarious components of the shoulder harness system 100, as shown in thefigures, are not intended to be limiting, as the individual componentsof the shoulder harness system 100 can vary in size and/or proportionsas compared to each other in various embodiments, as will beappreciated.

In various embodiments, the shoulder harness system 100 includes ashoulder portion 106, a chest portion 109, one or more wrist attachments112 a, 112 b (collectively “wrist attachments 112”), and one or morecoupling members 115 a, 115 b (collectively “coupling members 115”). Theshoulder portion 106 is configured to be worn about a shoulder of theoperator 10. Similarly, the chest portion 109 is configured to be wornabout a chest of the operator. The wrist attachments 112 are configuredto be worn on wrists of the operator 10. For instance, in embodiments inwhich only a single wrist attachment 112 is employed, the wristattachment may be secured to one of the left wrist or the right wrist ofthe operator 10. Alternatively, in embodiments in which two wristattachments 112 are employed, a first wrist attachment 112 a may besecured to the left wrist of the operator 10 and the second wristattachment 112 b may be secured to the right wrist of the operator 10,or vice versa. In some embodiments, the shoulder portion 106 and thechest portion 106 make up a shirt, a vest, or other wearable.

The coupling members 115 can be configured to detachably attach to thewrist attachments 112 and/or can be configured to detachably attach toone of the shoulder portion 106 or the chest portion 109. For instance,in embodiments in which two coupling members 115 are employed, a firstcoupling member 115 a can be configured to couple a first wrist portion112 a to the shoulder portion 106 of the shoulder harness system 100,and a second coupling member 115 b can be configured to couple thesecond wrist portion 112 b to the chest portion 106, or vice versa,while the operator 10 is in an initial phase of a swing (e.g., when theoperator 10 is in the stance position). However, the coupling members115 are sized and positioned to detach from one or more of thecomponents of the shoulder harness system 100, for instance, in responseto a predetermined amount of force being exerted during a swing or, inother words, in response to a predetermined stage of a swing beingreached.

More specifically, the coupling members 115 are sized and positioned tomaintain a chest-to-arm position of the operator 10 during a stance orother preliminary phase of a swing. In some embodiments, the couplingmembers 115 are rigid members, such as metallic or rigid plasticmembers. In other embodiments, the coupling members 115 are flexiblestraps. In any event, the coupling members 115 are configured to detachfrom one of the shoulder portion 106 or the chest portion 109, forinstance, in response to a predefined amount of force being exerted bythe operator during a swing motion. In some embodiments, the couplingmembers 115 are configured detach from the wrist portions 112 instead ofthe shoulder portion 106 or the chest portion 109. In furtherembodiments, the coupling members 115 are configured detach from all ofthe wrist portions 112, the shoulder portion 106, and the chest portion109. In these embodiments, the coupling members 115 can simply fall tothe ground during the swing. Additional views of the shoulder harnesssystem 100 relative to an operator 10 and swinging device 15 are shownin FIGS. 30-33.

Referring next to FIG. 2, an enhanced perspective view of a wristattachment 112 and a coupling member 115 are shown. The wrist attachment112 can include a wrist strap 118, where the coupling members 115 extendbetween the wrist strap 118 and a shoulder portion 106 or chest portion109. In some embodiments, the coupling member 115 is secured to thewrist attachments 112, the shoulder portion 106, and/or the chestportion 109 using one or more magnets 125, a plurality of hook-and-loopfasteners (e.g., VELCRO), or other suitable coupling mechanism.

The shoulder harness system 100 can include a magnet 125 positioned onor near the coupling member 115. As can be appreciated, the magnet 125creates a detachable connection with another component of the shoulderharness system 100, such as the wrist attachment 112, shoulder portion106, and/or chest portion 109. To this end, the coupling member 115 candetachably attach to other components of the shoulder harness system 100made of or comprising a magnetic material, such as the shoulder portion106, the chest portion 109, or a magnet positioned in the wrist strap118.

In some embodiments, the magnet 125 can include a circular magnet, orother suitable shape. Further, the magnet 125 can include an aperture inwhich the coupling member 115 is positioned such that the magnet 125 iscapable of moving along a body of the coupling member 115. A rod 128,having a diameter greater than that of the coupling member 115, canprohibit movement of the magnet 125 beyond a predetermined distance. Tothis end, in some embodiments, the distance (and strength) of the magnet125 from the shoulder portion 106 and/or chest portion 109 is adjustableby the operator 10. In other words, the force between the couplingmember 115 and the wrist attachment 112 (or the coupling member 115 andthe shoulder portion 106 or chest portion 109) is adjustable andvariable.

The wrist strap 118 may include a band of material configured to beplaced on the wrist of the operator 10, such as nylon, polyester,cotton, or other suitable fabric. In various embodiments, the wriststrap 118 may be made of any of a plurality of stretchable materialssuitable for securing around the wrist of an operator includingterrycloth fabric, moisture wicking fabric, corded fabric, plastic,silicon, other materials, and/or combinations thereof. The wrist strap118 may be secured around the wrist of an operator by any of a pluralityof connection mechanisms, such as a hook-and-loop strap, snap fasteners,elastic materials, side release buckles, other connectors, or acombination thereof.

In some embodiments, the rod 115 can include a cylindrical,longitudinally-extending member having a female threaded screw bodytherein. The coupling member can include a male threaded screw body thatengaged with the female threaded screw body of the rod 115. A screw head131 may retain the coupling member 115 to the wrist attachment 118 orother component in some embodiments (e.g., in embodiments in which thecoupling member 115 is not detachably attachable to the wrist attachment118).

In various embodiments, the wrist strap 118 may also include a piece ofpadded material positioned over the screw head 131 when the screw head131 is positioned in the wrist strap 118. The padded material aids insecuring the screw head to the wrist strap 118 and to protect the wristof the operator.

The coupling members 115 may include a first end 134 and a second end137. The first end 134 of the coupling member 115 can be configured tobe secured to the wrist attachment 112 and the second end 137 of thecoupling member 115 can be configured to detachably attach to one of theshoulder portion 106 or the chest portion 109. The coupling member 115,when coupled between the wrist attachment 112 and one of the shoulderportion 106 and the chest portion 109, is configured to maintain achest-to-arm position of the operator 10 and detach from one of theshoulder portion 106 or the chest portion 109 in response to apredefined amount of force being exerted by the operator 10 during aswing motion.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4 collectively, perspective views of theshoulder harness system 100 are shown, with the coupling member 115removed for explanatory purposes. The shoulder portion 106 of theshoulder harness system 100 may be positioned on either the right orleft shoulder of an operator 10, as may be appreciated. The shoulderharness system 100 further includes a chest strap 140 that is configuredto be positioned across the chest of the operator 10, for instance,under the arm opposite the shoulder on which the shoulder harness system100 is placed, and around the back of the operator to connect to theshoulder harness system 100. A connection mechanism of the chest strap140 may be made of any of a plurality of materials suitable forconnecting to the shoulder harness system 100 including, but not limitedto, hook and loop connectors, snap fasteners, side release buckles,button and buttonholes, sewed connections, other connection devices,and/or combinations thereof.

In embodiments in which a magnet 125 is used to magnetically couple thecoupling member 115 between a wrist attachment 112 and the shoulderportion 106, the shoulder portion 106 can include a magnetic plate 143that, in some examples, can be removably coupled to the shoulder harnesssystem 100. As such, the shoulder portion 106 of the shoulder harness109 can include a plate coupling mechanism 146, such as multiplehook-and-loop fasteners, to couple the magnetic plate 143 to theshoulder portion 106. While FIG. 3 does not show the magnetic plate 143,FIG. 3 illustrates where the magnetic plate 146 can be positioned whensecured to the shoulder harness 1 system 00. For instance, the magneticplate 146 can be positioned on top of the plate coupling mechanism 146.

The shoulder harness system 100 can further include a padded member 149that may be configured to cover the magnetic plate 143 and the platecoupling mechanism 146 that is attached to either the shoulder portion106 or the chest portion 109 of the shoulder harness system 100. Invarious embodiments, the shoulder harness system 100 may have a firstpadded member 146 a located at the shoulder portion 106 and a secondpadded member 146 b located at the chest portion 109 of the chest strap113. In other embodiments, additional layers of padding may be added orremoved to the padded member 146 to increase or decrease the couplingforce of the wrist attachment 112, as will be discussed, to the at leastone coupling section 143. In various embodiments, the magnetic plate 143and/or the magnet 125 may be at least partially made of a materialsuitable for magnetic coupling, such as stainless steel, iron, aluminum,other materials, and/or a combination thereof.

As noted above, in various embodiments, the shoulder harness system 100may include a single chest strap 140 that wraps around the front chestof the operator 10, under an opposite arm, around the back of theoperator 10, and reattaches to the shoulder harness system 100 using asuitable coupling mechanism. In other embodiments, the chest strap 140may include multiple straps configured to wrap around the operator 10,such as the torso of the operator 10, and detachably attach to theshoulder harness system 100 by any of a plurality of attachingmechanisms, including hook-and-loop fasteners, snap fasteners, siderelease buckles, other devices, and/or combinations thereof. To thisend, the shoulder harness system 100 may be worn on either the right orleft shoulder of an operator 10 and the chest strap 140 can be wrappedaround the torso of the operator 10 and, for instance, under theopposite arm.

The wrist attachment 112 may include an inner portion and an outerportion. The inner portion of the wrist attachment 112 may include apiece of fabric or other padded material configured to secure over thescrew head 131, or other suitable connector, positioned on the innerside of the wrist strap 118. Furthermore, the inner material maypartially provide padding for the wrist of the operator 10 from thescrew head 131 or other connector. The inner portion of the wrist strap118 may be made of any of a plurality of materials including, but notlimited to, foam, felt, other fabric materials, and/or a combinationthereof. The outer portion of the wrist strap 118 can include bandedmaterial that secures around the wrist of the operator 10. The outerportion may be made of any of a plurality of materials includingmoisture-wicking fabric or other materials. In various embodiments, thewrist attachment may secure around the wrist of an operator 10 by any ofa plurality of connection mechanisms including but not limited to beingpartly made of an elastic material, a side release buckle, a snapfastener, hook and loop connector, other means, and a combinationthereof.

Turning now to FIG. 5, the magnetic plate 143 is shown having fasteners150 (e.g., hook-and-loop fasteners) that engage with the plate couplingmechanism 146 to secure the magnetic plate 143 to the shoulder harnesssystem 100. FIG. 6 shows the magnetic plate 143 being positioned on theshoulder harness system 100, such that the magnetic plate 143 can beused to form a magnetic coupling with the coupling member 115.

In various embodiments, the magnet 125 and/or the magnetic plate 143 caninclude a predetermined magnetic field strength. Referring back to FIG.2, in various embodiments, the magnet 125 may be interchanged with othermagnets of varying magnetic field strengths to adjust the force requiredto decouple the wrist attachment 112 from the shoulder harness system100 by the operator 10 while performing a swing action. In otherembodiments, the coupling member 115 may be formed of a magneticmaterial such that the coupling member 115 itself has magneticcharacteristics.

In some embodiments, the shoulder harness system 100 may include a noiseemitting device (not shown) that may be configured to emit a noise whena predetermined event occurs. In various embodiments, the noise emittingdevice may be a bell and clapper, wherein the clapper is a cylindricalmember that surrounds the connector and slidably moves along the lengthof the connector to strike a bell that is located on the coupling member115. Thus, the noise emitting device may emit a noise when the couplingmember 115 decouples from the shoulder harness system 100 by a forcebeing exerted on the wrist attachment 112, thereby causing the clapperto strike the bell. As can be appreciated, a ringing of the bell orother noise emitted by the noise emitting device can instruct theoperator 10 of the stage of the swing in which the coupling member 115is released from the shoulder harness system 100.

In other embodiments, the noise emitting device may include anelectronic device comprising at least one electronic circuit (orcomputing device, such as a microcontroller) that comprises, or isotherwise coupled to, a speaker by any number of a plurality ofcommunication mediums including a physical connection, BLUETOOTH®,WI-FI®, other communication mediums, or a combination thereof. In someembodiments, the shoulder harness system 100 includes a sensor (e.g.,radar, laser, resistance sensor, etc.) that detects when the couplingmember 115 has decoupled from the shoulder harness and emits a noise viathe speaker in response thereto.

FIGS. 7-12 show various perspective views of the shoulder harness system100. More specifically, FIGS. 7 and 8 show an operator 10 attaching anauxiliary coupling section 160 to the chest portion 109 of the shoulderharness system 100. In various embodiments, the auxiliary couplingsection 160 may be attached to any location along the length of thechest strap 140 as the shoulder harness system 100 may be worn on eitherthe right or left shoulder of the operator 10. Consequently, theauxiliary coupling section 160 may need to be repositioned on the cheststrap 140, for instance, depending on whether the shoulder harnesssystem 100 is worn on the left or right shoulder of the operator 10 sothat the operator 10 may couple at least one wrist attachment 112 to theauxiliary coupling portion 160. Furthermore, the auxiliary couplingsection 160 may be attached to the chest portion 109 by any of aplurality of attaching mechanisms, including hook and loop connectors,snap fasteners, side release buckles, other fasteners, other connectors,and/or combinations thereof.

Now, operation of the shoulder harness system 100 relative to anoperator 10 (a person wearing the shoulder harness system 100) isdiscussed. Referring to FIGS. 9A-9C, an operator 10 is shown in variousstages of a swing sequence while wearing the shoulder harness system100. More specifically, FIG. 9A shows an operator 10 in the stance stageof the swing sequence while wearing the shoulder harness system 100.Next, FIG. 9B shows the operator 10 in the swing acceleration stage ofthe swing sequence while wearing the shoulder harness system 100.Notably, the coupling members 115 are sized and positioned to maintainan arm-to-chest position, or other similar relative positioning, in astance stage and a swing acceleration stage until a predetermined amountof force is exerted during the swing or, in other words, in response toa predetermined stage of a swing being reached. FIG. 9C shows theoperator 10 in the follow through stage of the swing sequence whilewearing the shoulder harness system 100.

In various embodiments, each of the first wrist attachment 112 a and thesecond wrist attachment 112 b are detachably attached to the shoulderportion 106 and the chest portion 109, respectively. When the operator10 of a swinging device, such as a baseball bat, progresses through thestages of the swing, the first wrist attachment 112 a and the secondwrist attachment 112 b are configured to break away from and detach fromthe shoulder portion 106 and the chest portion 109 of the shoulderharness system 100.

Specifically, the first wrist attachment 112 a and the second wristattachment 112 b, and the coupling member(s) 115 attached thereto, areconfigured to detach from the shoulder harness system 100 at apredetermined point when the operator 10 exerts a predetermined amountof force upon the first wrist attachment 112 a and the second wristattachment 112 b while the operator 10 progresses from the stance stage,through the coiling phase, and into the swing initiation phase and thearms of the operator accelerate from a predetermined position and intothe swing acceleration stage of the swing.

Referring to FIG. 10, a barrel ax 200 is shown in accordance withvarious embodiments of the disclosure, where the barrel ax 200 may beemployed with or in place of the shoulder harness system 100. The barrelax 200 includes a cylindrical collar body 203 that may include a firstportion 206 (e.g., a first half), a second portion 209 (e.g., a secondhalf), and an elongated surface 212 projecting from the cylindricalcollar body 203. In some embodiments, the barrel ax 200 includes aclamping portion 212 located on each longitudinal end of each of thefirst portion 206 and the second portion 209. The barrel ax 200 emulatesa real axe, requiring the operator 10 to make contact with a narrowrange of the projecting, elongated surface 212, the ideal location ofthe baseball bat or other swinging device.

As may be appreciated, and as shown in FIG. 10, the first portion 206and the second portion 209 of the cylindrical collar body 203 may beconfigured to affix to and clamp around a swing device, such as abaseball bat, golf club, cricket bat, or other swinging device. Invarious embodiments, each of the first portion 206 and the secondportion 209 may include a clamping portion 215, where the clampingportion 215 of the first portion 206 is configured to align with theclamping portion 215 of the second portion 209 to secure around theshaft of a swinging device.

In other embodiments the battle ax 200 may be configured to securearound the shaft of a swinging device by a plurality of clamping meansincluding bolts, straps, connectors, other means, and/or a combinationthereof. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the innersurface of each of the first portion 206 and the inner surface of thesecond portion 209 may also include a padded material that consists offoam, silicon, felt, other materials, or combinations thereof that aidthe battle ax 200 to grip the swinging device and to prevent the battleax 200 from damaging the swinging device, further dampening impact witha baseball or other object. The elongated surface 212 projecting fromthe body of the barrel ax 200 is configured to provide an operator 10with a visual indicator of the alignment of the swinging devicethroughout the swing device. Thus, giving visual feedback to theoperator 10 of whether the operator 10 is making square contact with anobject throughout the swing sequence.

In other embodiments, the barrel axe 200 may be a substantially flatraised segment that has fabric material on the ends configured to securearound the shaft of a swinging device. The substantially flat raisedsegment may be directly placed on a surface of a swinging device andattached to the swinging device by any of a plurality of means includinghook and loop straps, side release buckles, snap fasteners, other means,and/or a combination thereof. The raised segment may perpendicularlyextend from the surface of the swinging device and may be intended tocontact an object. The raised segment may also provide an indication toan operator of when the swinging device is making “square” contact withan object during the swing sequence.

In further embodiments, the edge of the barrel ax 200 can include anoise emitting device that emits noise or performs a similar function.To this end, in some embodiments, the barrel axe 200 can include twoplates separated by a spring or any other method to create a noise whena ball strikes the edge of the barrel ax 200.

Referring to FIG. 11, shown is an example of an electronic circuit 1700that may be one possible embodiment of the noise emitting device 1115,1123 for the at least one wrist attachment 1103. The electronic circuitmay include at least a power source 1703, a resistor 1706, a sensor1709, and a speaker 1712. The power source 1703 may be any of aplurality of power sources 1703 suitable for powering an electroniccircuit including a battery. In various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the sensor 1709 may be a magnetic sensor wherein themagnetic sensor detects when the wrist attachment 1103 decouples fromeither the first coupling section 203 or the second coupling section206. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the electronic circuit 1700 maybe capable of connecting to external speakers via any of a plurality ofmeans to emit a noise to alert the operator of a predetermined event.The electronic circuit may connect to an external speaker through wiredconnection, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, other means, and/or a combination thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, an operator 10 is shown in variousstages of a swing sequence while wearing the shoulder harness system100. Again, the coupling members 115 are sized and positioned tomaintain an arm-to-chest position, or other similar relativepositioning, in a stance stage and a swing acceleration stage until apredetermined amount of force is exerted during the swing or, in otherwords, in response to a predetermined stage of a swing being reached.

As can be appreciated, in embodiments in which hook-and-loop fasteners(e.g., VELCRO) are employed, when separated or ripped apart during aswing, a substantial noise is emitted, letting the operator 10 know ofthe separation. When the noise is heard, this can help the operator 10realize when they are engaging the hands to the ball.

In embodiments in which magnets are employed, the operator 10 can hearthe magnet click when they connect the coupling member 115 to the wristattachment 112 and/or the shoulder portion 106 or chest portion 109. Thefact that the operator 10 does not have to start with a connectedapparatus is distinguishable from prior systems. Instead, the operator10 can connect the hook-and-loop, magnetic, or other fasteners in theswing with ease. Further, if the operator 10 starts with his hands lowor high they time the toe touch (which is the stride landing) with themagnet clicking the shoulder portion 106 or the chest portion 109 (e.g.,in instances in which the shoulder portion 106 or the chest portion 106include metal).

In some embodiments, the wrist attachment 112 has a base screw whichconnects to the desired region the operator 10 desires. The shoulderharness system 100 places focus on the shoulder instead of the rotatorcuff. Further, in some embodiments, the magnets can simply be changedwith stronger pull force which will strengthen the whip action during aswing.

While many embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a swingingmotion for baseball, the shoulder harness system 100 is not limited toswinging activities or sports that require swinging motions. Forinstance, in some embodiments, the shoulder harness system 100 can beemployed to assist when arm-to-body positioning for throwing motions,such as pitching in baseball, cricket, and other sports require overheadthrowing motions.

Notably, with respect to batting and swinging motions, the shoulderharness system 100 can provide a short bat path, which teaches young andveteran players where to hold bat and trains muscle memory (musclememory movements). The shoulder harness system 100 provides players andcoaches with an entire region on the outside portion of the shoulder tochoose a comfortable position for each player's needs. For instance,players have different arm lengths and growth spurts that requireadjustable hand positions for player comfort.

Turning now to FIGS. 12 and 13, enhanced views of a wrist attachment 112and a coupling member 115 are shown. As noted above, the coupling membermay include a first end 303 and a second end 306. The first end 303 ofthe coupling member 115 can be configured to be secured to the wristattachment 112, and the second end 306 of the coupling member 115 can beconfigured to detachably attach to one of: the shoulder portion 106 orthe chest portion 109. The coupling member 115 is configured to maintaina chest-to-arm position of the operator 10 and detach from one of theshoulder portion 106 or the chest portion 109 (and/or the wristattachment 112) in response to a predefined amount of force beingexerted by the operator 10 during a swing motion.

In some embodiments, the coupling member 115 can include avertically-protruding body 309 having a head (not shown) positioned onan inside of the wrist attachment 112, where the vertically-protrudingbody projects out of a recess or other aperture in the wrist attachment112. The head can have a body wider than the vertically-protruding body309 (and wider than the aperture) to secure the coupling member 115,whereas a nut 312 or similar device can secure the coupling member 115to the wrist attachment 112. As such, in some embodiments, thevertically-protruding body 309 includes a threaded vertically-protrudingbody on which a nut 312 can be threadably coupled.

Specifically, FIG. 14 shows an attachment device 315 positioned on adistal end of the coupling member 115 (e.g., the second end 306). Theattachment device 315 can include a magnet in some embodiments. However,in some embodiments, the attachment device 315 includes a hook-and-loopfastener, such as Velcro®.

As the hook-and-loop fasteners of the attachment device 315 is includedtherewith, players who disconnect their hands before the big musclestransfer energy, will be able to hear the mistake, thereby also makingcoaching more effective. The ripping noise should be heard near contact.Further, in embodiments, in which magnets are employed, a noise is madewhen connecting to a metal plate on the shoulder portion 106 or thechest portion 109. Advanced players can use this feature to use thenoise for timing the “separation” and landing phase of swing. Themagnets can be interchangeable with stronger magnets, creating strongerwhip action resulting in exit velocity. This can also be considered astrength trainer for the square whip contact through ball. Thewristbands will have interchangeable screws for players and coachesdesired hand position in stance. Some players want their hands closer tobody and some like more space. Some may want to experiment. With thespacing system, players can train to find the position that works forthem best. As such, in some embodiments, the attachment device 315 caninclude any magnetic or non-magnetic device that emits a sound whenattached or detached from the shoulder portion 106 or the chest portion109.

Turning now to FIG. 15, a photograph is shown that includes an operator10, such as a baseball player, softball player, cricket player, or otherathlete, wearing the shoulder harness system 100. In variousembodiments, the shoulder harness system 100 may include double-sidedhook-and-loop fastening strips 505 a, 505 b. A top side of thedouble-sided hook-and-loop fastening strips 505 is shown in FIG. 16.Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16 collectively, each of the double-sidedhook-and-loop fastening strips 505 may include a flat, longitudinallyextending body having hook-and-loop fasteners, for instance, on both thetop side and the bottom side. As such, a first one of the hook-and-loopfastening strips 505 a may be worn as a wristband, as shown in FIG. 15,whereas a second one of the hook-and-loop fastening strips 505 b canalso be placed over a lead shoulder to facilitate a follow throughmotion, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17. The hook-and-loop fastening strips505 are sized and positioned such that the width around the wrist and/orthe shoulder can be adjusted.

Accordingly, the coupling members 115 of the shoulder harness system 100can include the hook-and-loop fastening strips 505 in some embodiments.More specifically, the hook-and-loop fastening strips 505 can beconfigured to detachably, or removably, attach to the wrist and/or canbe configured to detachably, or removably, attach to one of the shoulderportion 106 or the chest portion 109. For instance, in embodiments inwhich two hook-and-loop fastening strips 505 are employed, a first oneof the hook-and-loop fastening strips 505 a can be configured to couplea wrist portion 112 to the shoulder portion 106 of the shoulder harnesssystem 100 via the second one of the hook-and-loop fastening strips 505b, while the operator 10 is in an initial phase of a swing (e.g., whenthe operator 10 is in the stance position). However, the couplingmembers 115 are sized and positioned to detach from one or more of thecomponents of the shoulder harness system 100, for instance, in responseto a predetermined amount of force being exerted during a swing or, inother words, in response to a predetermined stage of a swing beingreached.

The hook-and-loop fastening strip 505 can also be placed over a leadshoulder to facilitate a follow through motion, as shown in FIG. 17.Specifically, FIG. 17 is a photograph showing an operator 10 wearing theshoulder harness system 100 and the hook-and-loop fastening strip 505that comprises hook-and-loop fasteners on both sides. The hook-and-loopfastening strip 505 is shown being worn over a lead shoulder of theoperator 10.

In further embodiments, the shoulder system 100 may include, or be usedin conjunction with, a light system 520. FIGS. 18 and 19 are photographsshowing operators 100 wearing the shoulder harness system 100, where theshoulder harness system 100 includes the light system 520 according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure. In various examples, thelight system 520 includes a first light emitting device 525 and/or asecond light emitting device 530.

As shown in the non-limiting example of FIG. 18, the first lightemitting device 525 may be positioned on the wrist attachment 112, suchthat, when the operator 10 conducts a swing, a light beam shines acrossa chest or other desired location of the operator 10. In someembodiments, the first light emitting device 525 includes a clip orother connecting device configured to attach to a side or distal end ofthe wrist attachment 112. In further embodiments, the first lightemitting device 525 is coupled to the wrist attachment 112 viahook-and-loop fasteners or other suitable connection mechanism.

Similarly, in some embodiments, the second light emitting device 530includes a clip, hook-and-loop fastener, or other connecting deviceconfigured to attach to the second light emitting device 525 to abottom, distal end of a swinging device, such as a baseball bat,softball bat, golf club, tennis racket, cricket bat, or other device.

Each of the first light emitting device 525 and the second lightemitting device 530 can include a switch, a battery, and a lightemitting element, such as a light emitting diode (LED) or a laser device(e.g., a laser pointing device). In some embodiments, the first lightemitting device 525 emits light of a first color (e.g., red) while thesecond light emitting device 530 emits light of a second color (e.g.,blue). In some embodiments, each of the first light emitting device 525and the second light emitting device 530 can be toggled via the switchto adjust the color being emitted by the LED or other light emittingelement.

During a swing operation, the first light emitting device 525 is sizedand positioned on the wrist attachment 112 such that light emitted bythe first light emitting device 525 shines across the chest, forinstance, during an initial stage of a swing as well as during amajority of the swing operation. Photographs or videos of the operator10 can be captured and the course of the light appearing across thechest, or other body surface area of the operator 10, can be monitoredto analyze a swing.

The second light emitting device 530 is sized and positioned on the batsuch that light emitted from the second light emitting device 530 pointsat a ground surface, for example, towards a ball or field they want tohit to, incentivizing the operator 10 to whip the light from the knobback to the chest. In further embodiments, a series of lines or markingson a mat or ground surface can be implemented to create dots that theoperator 10 connects with light emitted from the second light emittingdevice 530 affixed to the bottom of the bat.

FIGS. 19, 20, and 21 are photographs showing illustrating the lightsystem described herein according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 19 illustrates a wrist attachment 112 having a firstlight emitting device 525 coupled thereto, that emits a beam of light535 on the operator 10. FIG. 20 shows the second light emitting device530 coupled to a bottom end of a swinging device 15, such as a bat,using one or more hook-and-loop fasteners to emit a beam of light. Thesecond light emitting device 530 is shown as being decoupled from theswinging device 15 in FIG. 21.

In various embodiments, a laser light map may be employed. For instance,a metal disk, a series of metal discs, or other appropriate material maycreate a path for lights on the light emitting devices 525, 530 tofollow during a swing, essentially simplifying the training for theplayer in any sport. The metal disk or other object may be positioned onthe operator 10 or on a ground surface. As such, the shoulder harnesssystem 100 may be used for baseball, softball, tennis, badminton,lacrosse, cricket, etc.

FIG. 22 is a photograph of an operator 10 using a stride training system550 that can be used independent of or in conjunction with the shoulderharness system 100 described herein according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure. The stride training system 550 can include afoot harness 555 that secures a foot magnet 560, for instance, to abottom of a shoe 565 or foot of the operator 10, as well as a targetmagnet plate 570.

FIG. 23 is a photograph of a bottom of a shoe of the operator 10, wherethe foot magnet 560 is shown being positioned on the bottom of the shoefor use in the stride training system 550 of FIG. 22 according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 24 is a photographof a target magnet plate 570 for use in the stride training system 550of FIG. 22 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.FIGS. 25 and 26 are photographs showing an operator 10 using the stridetraining system 550 according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 22-26 collectively, the foot magnet 560 can besecured to the foot harness 555 using a hook-and-loop fastening strip invarious embodiments. A portion of the hook-and-loop fastening strip maybe removed, for instance, to provide an aperture (e.g., acircular-shaped aperture) in or through which the foot magnet 560 can bepositioned such that the foot magnet 560 can come into contact with andmagnetically couple to the target magnet plate 570.

As shown in FIG. 25, the target magnet plate 570 can be set apredetermined distance on a ground surface from a lead foot of theoperator 10, requiring the operator 10 to step forward and make contactwith the target magnet plate 570 during a swing. The materials of thetarget magnet plate 570, the foot harness 555, the foot magnet 560 andother components of the stride training system 550 can be selected suchthat, when contact is made, an audible noise is emitted, notifying theoperator 10 of successful contact. In further embodiments, a smallelectrical circuit can be employed with a small speaker to emit anaudible noise upon successful contact (e.g., through a change inimpedance of a change of resistance as may be appreciated).

In further embodiments, the stride training system 550 can also work onthe back foot as well as the front foot, and the target magnet plate 570can be placed in front of the back foot behind the back foot, in frontof the front foot, or behind the front foot, for instance, depending onwhat the objective of the operator 10.

FIG. 27 is a photograph of a ball 590 that can be connected to a vest ora shirt of an operator 10, for instance, to rest a swinging device 15(e.g., bat or club) next to a desired position on the body according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure, which maintains an idealdegree of separation between the operator 10 and the swinging device 15.In some embodiments, the ball 590 attaches to the shoulder portion ofthe shoulder harness system 100. In addition to the ball 590, otherobjects may be coupled thereto that a player desires to connect suchthat the operator 10 can maintain a comfortable connection to the body.

Specifically, the ball or object can be a replacement for the wristattachment 112. For instance, an operator 10 can press a swinging device15 to the ball 590 or similar object and work on maintaining thatconnection to an appropriate point in a swing. For instance, a baseballbat can press against the ball 590 in a batter's stance.

In an aspect, the bat can rest in a groove formed in ball 590, which maybe referred to herein as a begin-swing location guide, until a batterreaches a point of extension in his, or her, swinging of the bat. Asshown in FIG. 38, begin-swing location guide 590 includes an opening 502for receiving a swinging device, in this case a baseball bat. Opening502 may be a groove formed by edges 504A and 504B. Edges 504 may beformed so that opening 502 has flat sides 506 and forms a wedge-shapedresting place for a baseball bat. Alternatively, edges 504 may be formedsuch that the sides 506A and 506B of opening 502 are curved. In oneaspect, sides 506 of opening 502 may be curved inward so that the curvedfaces of the sides are relatively concentric with the baseball bat whenit rests in crook 508 of opening 502. If opening 502 is formed smallenough, sides 506 of the opening may contact, and partially surround, abaseball bat that rests in the opening. Thus, as a batter reaches apoint of extension, the sides of opening 502 of begin-swing locationguide 590 may cause resistance to the batter moving the bat out ofopening 502 as he, or she, begins swinging the bat. Or, opening 502 maybe formed with a wide-angle crook 508 such that minimal, if any,resistance is caused as a bat is moved out of opening 502.

Turning now to FIG. 39, the figure illustrates a user/athlete with abaseball bat resting in the crook 508 of opening 502 of begin-swinglocation guide 590, which is shown removably attached via hook-and-loopmaterial to a shoulder portion 106 as described elsewhere herein. Itwill be appreciated that shoulder portion 106 and begin-swing locationguide 590 may be configured and sized such that instead of a baseballbat, the begin-swing location guide locates a golf club at the beginningof a golfer's swing to help train the golfer as to proper form at thebeginning of his, or her, swing.

Turning now to FIG. 40, the figure illustrates a player 10 holding bat15. Swing device attachment 802 is secured to bat 15 via hook and loopstrap 804. Attachment 802 may be a metallic plate, preferably ferrous sothat it is magnetic, and may be bonded to hook and loop material. Strap804 may be secured to attachment 802 substantially permanently, such as,for example, via rivets, adhesive, welding (strap 804 may be a metalband or collar). Strap 804 may be removably secured to attachment 802such as, for example, via hook and loop in the aspect where hook andloop material is bonded to a surface of the attachment plate on a sideopposite as seen in the figure.

Turning now to FIG. 41, the figure illustrates swing device attachment802 detachably coupling bat 15 to shoulder harness 100, which is worn byathlete 10. Shoulder harness 100 defines athlete attachment 805, whichmay be referred to as an area of the harness to which coupling memberattachment 806 removably secures coupling member 808 to the harness. Ifharness 100 is entirely made from hook and loop material, any portion ofthe harness may be the athlete attachment. Coupling member 808 may beformed from, or comprise, magnetic material to facilitate magneticallycoupling to ferrous attachment plate 802. An aperture, or hole, may beformed in coupling member attachment 806 with a diameter, ordimension(s), substantially the same as the diameter of the shaft of thecoupling member (or substantially the same as cross sectionaldimension(s) of the shaft of the coupling member if not circular).Coupling member 808 may be formed at a second end with a wide base (notshown in the figure) to prevent pulling through coupling memberattachment 806.

As shown in FIG. 41, a first end of coupling member 808 is shownmagnetically removably coupled to attachment plate 802. Thus, system 800that may comprise the shoulder harness and the other items enumerated asshown in FIG. 41 provides the advantage that athlete 10 is trained toplace bat 15 in a position that the athlete, or a training instructor,may deem appropriate for beginning a swing. The position of bat 15 inrelation to athlete 10 may be adjusted by changing positions of strap804 on the bat and coupling member attachment 806. Coupling member 808may comprise an adjustable-length shaft to further aid is customizingthe position of bat 15 to athlete 10 without need a special lengthcoupling member for every individual who may train with the system.

As a further advantage, the components of system 800 may be customizedwith respect to placement locations and lengths as described above suchthat the athlete being trained with system 800 hears a metallic ‘click’as coupling member 808 is momentarily magnetically drawn to, and coupleswith, attachment 802 as bat 15 moves through a batting motion such thatathlete 10 learns to coordinate the placement and timing of footmovement with a given location of the bat during the swinging motion. Itwill be appreciated that the material used to make plate 802 may beselected, or manufactured, such that when coupling member 808 coupleswith the plate a certain, predetermined sound is emitted by thecontacting of the plate and the coupling member. For example, if plate802 is made from ⅛″ thick steel and is secured to strap 804 with a rivetthrough the center of the plate, the sound may be a momentary resonant‘clang’ sound. Plate 802 and coupling 808 may be used at electricalcontacts in an audio circuit used to generate a signal that causes awirelessly coupled (to the bat or plate) audio device to emit apredetermined sound. In addition, the generated signal may be used by aremote computer device to evaluate, by an athlete or the athlete'sinstructor, synchronization between an athlete's swinging arm motion andplacement of the athlete's feet using a stride training system such asthe one described above.

FIG. 28 is a photograph of a magnetic attachment for use with the wristband 112 of the shoulder harness system 100 described herein accordingto various embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, a wristand/or foot band as described herein can include a magnet receptacle toconnect to a hook-and-loop fastener strip with a magnet disposedtherein. In an aspect, in addition to connecting an athlete's wrists toa swinging device, an object or a vest can also connect directly to thebat through magnets and magnetic forces emanating therefrom. In essence,this could facilitate connecting a strap to a bat at one end of thestrap and to a batter's vest, or other training garment, withhook-and-loop fabric, a magnet, or other type of connection that canbreak apart upon application of a predetermined amount of force at theother end of the strap.

FIG. 29 is a photograph of a swinging device attachment 600 for use witha swinging device 15 and the shoulder harness system 100 describedherein according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Theswinging device attachment 600 can include straps 605, 610 that areconfigured to be positioned around and secure laterally extending sidesof the swinging device attachment 600 to the swinging device 15. Thestraps 605, 610 may include hook-and-loop fastener straps or othersuitable connecting straps. The swinging device attachment 600 may bewrapped around a bat, a club, or other swinging device 15 to train anoperator 10 to hit using certain spots of the bat, club, or otherswinging device 15. Further, the swinging device attachment 600 mayslide over an outer edge of a swinging device 15, like a sock, whileincluding openings that are designed to get an operator 10 or otherplayer to hit a certain spot of the bat, club, or other swinging device15.

Turning now to FIG. 35, the figure illustrates a training garment 300having a front 302 and a back 304. Back 304 is shown with a pocket 306attached to it. Pocket 306 may act as a sail to provide raw resistanceto athletic motion or may act as a spoiler to guide the performance ofan athletic/biomechanical motion of a wearer of garment 300. As referredto herein, pocket 306 is a form of a resistance mechanism. Other formsof resistance mechanisms referred to herein may include a spoiler, aparachute that couples with a sleeve of garment 300 via flexiblematerial, a parachute that couples with the sleeve via a rigid strut, anairfoil, a sail, a motorized fan that is driven by a motor that isself-powered with a battery, or a motorized fan that is driven by amotor that receives power from electrical conductors connected to anexternal power source.

Pocket 306 may be sewn onto back 304 to be permanently attached, or maybe removably attached, such as via hook-and-loop material. It will beappreciated that pocket 306 may be sewn, or removable attached, to back304 with an opening facing in a desired direction to cause resistance(air resistance) to a wearer of garment 300 while the wearer performs aspecific biomechanical motion, or an athletic motion, such as swinging aswinging device such as a baseball bat or golf club. If, for example,pocket 306 is sewn onto back 304, garment 300 may be manufactured inright-handed and left-handed version so that pocket 306 createsresistance to swinging a baseball bat by a right handed batter or tocreate resistance to swinging a baseball bat by a left handed batter,respectively. If, however, pocked 306 is removably attachable to back304 via hook-and-loop material, for example, a single garment 300 couldbe configured to provide resistance to swinging by placing the openingof pocket 306 facing the right side in the figure for a right-handedswing, or facing to the left in the figure for a left-handed swing.Alternatively, pocket 306 may be attached at only two opposing sides, oralong opposing arcs, to form more of a sail than a pocket. Such aconfiguration of pocket 306 may be desired to reduce resistance ascompared to a three-sided (i.e., closed on three sides of a rectangularpocket or three contiguous arcs of a circular pocket) pocket but stillprovide more resistance to swinging that if there were no pocket 306 onback 304.

Garment 300 may also include one or more sleeves 308. Garment 300 isshown in the figure with reference to a single sleeve to cover awearer's right arm. It will be appreciated that sleeve 308 could coverthe wearer's left arm instead, or two pockets 308 could cover both arms.Pocket 310 is shown on a lower portion of sleeve 308 to provideresistance as a wearer's forearm moves during a biomechanical motion,such as swinging a baseball bat. To reduce resistance, pocket 310 couldbe located on an upper portion of sleeve 308 covering a wearer's upperarm, or pockets could be located on both the upper portion and lowerportion of sleeve 308.

Pocket 310 is shown in the figure have an opening 312 facing forwardwhen a wearer is wearing garment 300 such that front 302 covers his, orher, chest and abdomen. Pocket 310 is shown also having an opening 314that faces rearward when a wearer is wearing garment 300 such that back304 covers his, or her, back.

Turning now to FIG. 36, the figure shows garment 300 as in FIG. 35, butpocket 310 is shown still having opening 312 facing forward but insteadof having opening 314 as shown in FIG. 35, garment 300 is shown withpocket 310 having closed end 315. Thus, FIG. 36 shows pocket 310 asbeing a closed pocket that provides more resistance to movement of awearer's right forearm than when configured as shown in FIG. 35, wherepocket 310 would act more as a sail than a pocket that traps air andthus provides more resistance to arm movement. It will be appreciatedthat as with pocket 306, pocket 310 may be sewn onto sleeve 308 or maybe attached with material, such as an adhesive or hook-and-loop toprovide a configurable orientation of opening 312 and either opening 314as shown in FIG. 30 or closed end 315 as shown in FIG. 36.

It will be appreciated that garment 300 is shown as a vest, or shirt,but the concepts described in relation to garment 300 are easilyadaptable to pants, having either short legs or long legs that cover awearer's entire leg. Such a pants garment may provide resistance forspecific biomechanical motion such as running, which could be of benefitto the training of a track and field athlete.

Turning now to FIG. 37, the figure illustrates a wrist resistance system400. Performance of a specific biomechanical motion is resisted by aresistance-generating device 402 when the resistance-generating deviceis attached to wristband 404. System 400 is shown withresistance-generating device 402 being a parachute assembly thatattaches to wrist band 404 via an attaching component 406. Component 406may include a string, a strap, a rigid strut, and the like. Parachuteassembly 402 is shown having suspension lines 408, which may be referredto herein as tension lines since parachute 402 is not being used tosuspend an individual who has jumped out of an aircraft. Tension lines408 may attach at coupling 410. Coupling 410 is shown in the figure as asolid circle—it will be appreciated that this solid circle may representa variety of coupling means, for example a magnetic coupling thattension lines 408 attach to and that attaching component 406 attachesto. Coupling 410 may include hook-and-loop material coupling thatsuspension lines 408 attach to and that attaching component 406 attachesto. The amount of magnetic force, or attaching force of thehook-and-loop material, may be selected so that parachute 402 breaksaway from attaching component 406 when a predetermined amount of airresistance is created by movement of wristband 404. Thus, a traininginstructor may tighten adjustable wrist band 404 tight enough to preventrotation of the wristband on the wearer's wrist 412 and locate component406, such that a motion that a wearer of the wristband is making that isundesirable can be measured according to the amount of preload coupling410 exerts between attaching component 406 and parachute 402 that isrequired to prevent the coming apart of coupled 410 during the motion.It will be appreciated that parachute 402 is shown for purposes ofillustration, but that other apparatuses may be used to provideresistance to motion of wrist 412. Such other means for providingresistance include, but are not limited to: a spoiler, a parachute thatcouples with the sleeve via flexible material that removably attaches tothe wristband, a parachute that couples with the sleeve via a rigidstrut that removably attaches to the arm motion resistance attachmentportion, an airfoil, a sail, a motorized fan that is driven by a motorthat is self-powered with a battery, or a motorized fan that is drivenby a motor that receives power from electrical conductors connected toan external power source.

The components described herein can be implemented together or invarious combinations as a single swing training device or a single swingtraining system. In various embodiments, the shoulder system 100 as wellas the components described herein for use with the shoulder harnesssystem 100 can be used in augmented reality environments, virtualreality environments, etc., for instance, in conjunction with augmentedreality systems, virtual reality systems, etc. To this end, in variousembodiments, one or more sensors (e.g., fiducial markers or locationapproximately sensors) may be positioned on a vest or other portion ofthe shoulder harness system 100 for virtual reality purposes, such as aremote control, for gaming and training with appropriate sensors in avirtual situation.

It is understood that disjunctive language such as the phrase “at leastone of X, Y, or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwiseunderstood with the context as used in general to present that an item,term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g.,X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generallyintended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require atleast one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each bepresent.

Although embodiments have been described herein in detail, thedescriptions are by way of example. The features of the embodimentsdescribed herein are representative and, in alternative embodiments,certain features and elements can be added or omitted. Additionally,modifications to aspects of the embodiments described herein can be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention defined in the following claims, the scope ofwhich are to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompassmodifications and equivalent structures.

Therefore, the following is claimed:
 1. An athletic training garment,comprising: a front; a back; wherein the garment includes at least oneresistance mechanism located at a predetermined location on the garmentconfigured to provide controlling resistance to the performance of aspecific biomechanical motion of an athlete wearing the garment whiletraining; and wherein the predetermined location of the at least oneresistance mechanism is based on the specific biomechanical motion ofthe athlete.
 2. The athletic training garment of claim 1 wherein the atleast one resistance mechanism is a pocket, and wherein the pocketdefines an opening that faces a direction of movement as the athleteperforms the specific biomechanical motion.
 3. The athletic traininggarment of claim 1 further comprising at least one sleeve; wherein thespecific biomechanical motion is the swinging of a baseball bat; andwherein the location of the at least one resistance mechanism is on theat least one sleeve.
 4. The athletic training garment of claim 2 whereinthe pocket is removably attached to the garment such that the openingfaces the direction of movement.
 5. The athletic garment of claim 4wherein the opening of the pocket is removably attached to the garmentwith hook-and-loop material at a resistance location area of thegarment, wherein the resistance location area of the garment is madewith hook-and-loop material that is complementary to hook-and-loopmaterial of which the pocket comprises.
 6. The athletic garment of claim1 further comprising at least one sleeve; wherein the sleeve includes anarm motion resistance attachment portion; wherein aresistance-generating device is removably attachable to the arm motionresistance attachment portion such that performance of the specificbiomechanical motion is controllingly resisted by theresistance-generating device when the resistance-generating device isattached to the arm motion resistance attachment portion.
 7. Theathletic garment of claim 6 wherein the resistance-generating devices isat least one of a spoiler, a parachute that couples with the sleeve viaa flexible material that removably attaches to the arm motion resistanceattachment portion, a parachute that couples with the sleeve via a rigidstrut that removably attaches to the arm motion resistance attachmentportion, an airfoil, a sail, a motorized fan that is driven by a motorthat is self-powered with a battery, or a motorized fan that is drivenby a motor that receives power from electrical conductors connected toan external power source.
 8. The athletic garment of claim 1 furthercomprising a begin swing location guide.
 9. The athletic garment ofclaim 1 wherein the specific biomechanical motion is one of: swinging abaseball bat, swinging a golf club, swinging a racquet, throwing adiscus, pole vaulting, throwing a javelin, weight lifting, or running.10. An athlete training system, comprising: an athlete attachment; and aresistance-generating device that is configured to be removably attachedto the athlete attachment such that performance of a specificbiomechanical motion is controlled by the resistance-generating devicewhen the resistance-generating device is attached to the athleteattachment.
 11. The athlete training system of claim 10 furthercomprising a training garment that includes a sleeve wherein theresistance-generating devices is at least one of a pocket, a spoiler, aparachute that couples with the sleeve via flexible material thatremovably attaches to the athlete attachment, a parachute that coupleswith the sleeve via a rigid strut that removably attaches to the armmotion resistance attachment portion, an airfoil, a sail, a motorizedfan that is driven by a motor that is self-powered with a battery, or amotorized fan that is driven by a motor that receives power fromelectrical conductors connected to an external power source.
 12. Theathlete training system of claim 10 further comprising a shoulderharness wherein the shoulder harness defines the athlete attachment; atleast one coupling member having a first end configured to detachablycouple to a swinging device attachment and a second end configured tocouple to one of a shoulder portion or a chest portion of the shoulderharness, wherein the coupling member is configured to maintain achest-to-arm position of an operator and wherein the coupling member isconfigured to detach from the one of the shoulder portion or the chestportion of the shoulder harness in response to a predefined amount offorce being exerted during a swing motion of a swinging device to whichthe at least one coupling member is attached.
 13. The swing trainingsystem of claim 10 further comprising a shoulder harness wherein theshoulder harness defines the athlete attachment and wherein the at leastone coupling member is configured to removably attach to a swing deviceplacement object and wherein the swing device placement object isremovably attached to the shoulder harness.
 14. The swing trainingsystem of claim 10 further comprising a shoulder harness wherein theshoulder harness defines the athlete attachment and wherein the at leastone coupling member is configured to couple to a swinging deviceattachment at a first end of the coupling member and wherein a secondend of the coupling member is configured to removably attach to theathlete attachment.
 15. The athletic training system of claim 10 whereinthe athlete attachment is a wristband and wherein theresistance-generating device is removably attached to the wristband witha coupling having a predetermined preload such that measurement ofmovement of a wearer's wrist on which the adjustable wristband isattached may be determined.
 16. A method for the training of an athleticswing motion, comprising: donning an athletic training garment thatcomprises: a front; a back; wherein the garment includes at least oneresistance mechanism located at a predetermined location on the garmentconfigured to provide resistance to the performance of a specificbiomechanical motion of an athlete wearing the garment while training;wherein the predetermined location of the at least one resistancemechanism is based on the specific biomechanical motion of the athlete;and a begin-swing location guide; resting a swinging device in thebegin-swing location guide in preparation of performing the performanceof a specific biomechanical motion; and maintaining the swinging devicein the begin-swing location guide until the athlete wearing the athletictraining garment reaches an extension point while performing thespecific biomechanical motion.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein thespecific biomechanical motion is the swinging of a baseball bat, andwherein the swinging device is the baseball bat.
 18. The method of claim17 wherein the begin-swing location guide defines a three-dimensionalobject that further defines a groove that is configured for receiving aportion of the bat.
 19. The method of claim 16 wherein the begin-swinglocation guide defines a hemispherical portion wherein the hemisphericalportion further defines a groove that is configured for receiving aportion of the bat.
 20. The method of claim 16 wherein the garmentfurther comprises a sleeve and wherein the sleeve defines a begin-swinglocation guide attachment portion; wherein the specific biomechanicalmotion is the swinging of a baseball bat, wherein the swinging device isthe baseball bat, and wherein the begin-swing location guide attachmentportion and the begin-swing location guide are each configured withhook-and-loop material such that the begin-swing location guideremovably attaches to the begin-swing location guide attachment portionin an optimal position for training the particular athlete wearing thegarment; and wherein the begin-swing location guide is manufactured withat least one of: rubber sponge, rubber foam, expanded neoprene sponge,expanded EPDM sponge, PVC/Nitrile sponge, silicone sponge, polyurethanefoam, polyethylene foam, and plastazote foam.